In December of 2011 and January of 2012, fans of college football and EA SPORTS NCAA Football 12 helped cover all 35 Bowl Games here at STAT BOX STORIES for the BOWL BLITZ INVITATIONAL. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the statistics that came out of those 35 games. In today’s installment, we look at individual player statistics for Defensive players.
In the first Top Ten list for a defensive statistical category–Total Tackles–computer-controlled players really dominated the ist, holding eight spots. Air Force’s MLB #32 led the pack with 19 tackles, followed closely by ROLB #13 of Florida State who had 17 tackles. The human-controlled player with the highest number of tackles was MLB #37 of Cincinnati in the #7 spot, who made 12 tackles in the Liberty Bowl.
By contrast, the statistics for most Sacks by a defensive player saw an overwhelming number of human-controlled players make the Top 10. SMU’s DT #98 took the top spot with 4 sacks against Pitt in the BBVA Compass Bowl. Next up were 2 computer-controlled players and 4 human-controlled players who managed to rack up 3 sacks in their games, including MLB #52 and LE #97 of West Virginia who had 3 sacks EACH in the Orange Bowl against Clemson.
Many players ended up with interceptions over the 35 Bowl Games of the BOWL BLITZ INVITATONAL, but only four managed games with multiple takeaways on passes. SS #10 of Iowa State, CB #12 of Notre Dame, CB #1 of Cal, and ROLB #42 of Nevada all turned in two-interception performances; two computer-controlled, two human-controlled. Interestingly enough, none of those four players returned interceptions for a touchdown, despite having multiple interceptions in a single game.
Many defensive touchdowns were scored over the course of the BOWL BLITZ INVITATIONAL, and the “in no particular order” Top 10 of this statistical category sees an even split between five interceptions returned for touchdown and five fumbles returned for touchdown. Human-controlled players took seven spots on this particular Top 10 list, while the CPU-controlled players ended up with three spots.
When it comes to defense, so often the performance of the entire unit takes precedence over the achievements of individual players. It’s difficult to pick any particular defensive player who turned in a superstar performance, but later this week we’ll be looking at which teams performed at the highest level when their opponents had possession of the ball. For tomorrow, however, the topic will move to the offense and a focus on the greatest receiving performances of the BOWL BLITZ INVITATIONAL here at STAT BOX STORIES; be sure to come back so you don’t get left behind!
Stat Box Stories 
You will notice there are 2 PSU players on that list for defensive touchdowns!